Outdoor Learning: Make a DIY Butterfly Feeder and Study Pollinators

Activity Description:

Attract beautiful butterflies to your backyard by creating a simple butterfly feeder! This hands-on outdoor activity teaches kids about pollinators, butterfly life cycles, and how to support wildlife while enjoying nature up close.

How to Do It:

1. Gather Materials

• A shallow dish, plate, or sponge

• String or ribbon (if you want to hang the feeder)

• A banana or other overripe fruit (such as oranges or watermelon)

• Sugar water (mix 1 part sugar with 4 parts water)

• Small rocks or brightly colored artificial flowers (optional)

2. Choose a Location

• Place the feeder in a quiet, sunny spot in the garden, away from strong winds.

• Choose a spot near flowers that naturally attract butterflies, like lavender, zinnias, or milkweed.

3. Prepare the Butterfly Food

• Cut up overripe fruit and place it on the dish.

• Soak a sponge in sugar water and place it next to the fruit.

• If using a hanging feeder, punch three holes around the plate, tie string through each hole, and hang it from a tree branch.

4. Observe Butterfly Visitors

• Watch as butterflies land on the feeder to drink nectar.

• Use a butterfly identification chart or an app to recognize different species.

• Take notes in a butterfly journal about which colors and types of butterflies visit most often.

5. Learn About Pollination

• Explain how butterflies help pollinate plants by transferring pollen between flowers.

• Discuss why butterfly habitats are shrinking and how planting flowers can help them thrive.

• Talk about the butterfly life cycle, from caterpillar to chrysalis to adult butterfly.

6. Experiment with Different Foods

• Try different fruit types and see which attract the most butterflies.

• Compare feeders placed in sunny vs. shady areas.

• Make multiple feeders with different colors to test if butterflies prefer certain colors.

7. Expand the Activity

• Plant a butterfly garden with nectar-rich flowers like milkweed, daisies, or marigolds.

• Create a butterfly puddling station by filling a shallow dish with damp sand for butterflies to drink minerals.

• Research migratory butterflies like monarchs and their long-distance journeys.

8. Make It a Fun Challenge

• Keep a daily record of butterfly visitors and see how many different species appear over time.

• Set up a photo challenge to capture close-up pictures of different butterfly markings.

• Encourage kids to draw or paint pictures of their favorite butterflies.

Bonus Tip:

Hang bright-colored decorations near the feeder (like red or orange ribbons) to attract butterflies more quickly!

This hands-on outdoor learning activity helps kids understand the role of pollinators, fosters curiosity about nature, and encourages conservation efforts in a fun and interactive way.